VANCOUVER (Rajeev Sharma): Fifteen candidates of Punjabi origin have won seats in British Columbia’s provincial election, with 12 representing the Conservative Party and three elected from the New Democratic Party (NDP), according to Canadian media reports.
The results came alongside a major Conservative breakthrough in Surrey, a city known for its large Punjabi community. All 10 electoral districts in Surrey reportedly went to Conservative candidates, marking a significant shift in the region’s political representation.
The provincial election was held on October 24 for the 93-seat British Columbia Legislative Assembly. With more than 99 per cent of polling stations counted, media reports indicated that the Conservatives had secured 64 seats, the NDP 27 and the Green Party two. The figures remain subject to final counting.
Conservatives make gains across Surrey
Among the Punjabi-origin Conservative winners, Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal retained Surrey North, while Harjit Taliwal won Surrey-Newton, defeating NDP incumbent Jessie Sunner.
Garry Purewal secured Surrey-Fleetwood, unseating long-serving NDP MLA Jagrup Brar, who hails from Punjab’s Bathinda district and had represented the constituency since 2004.
Garry Thind won Surrey-Guildford against NDP incumbent Garry Begg. Thind’s victory came shortly after he also won a seat as a school trustee in Surrey’s municipal election.
Zeeshan Wahla captured Surrey City Centre in a closely contested race against NDP candidate Amna Shah, while Jessy Sahota was among the other Conservative winners listed in media reports.
The Conservative tally of Punjabi-origin representatives also includes Harman Bhangu, Jody Toor, Steve Kooner, Monica Mohan, Pavneet Singh and Deep Sandhu. Their victories span constituencies in Surrey, Langley, Richmond, Delta, Kelowna and Vancouver.
Three Punjabi-origin candidates elected for NDP
The NDP’s three Punjabi-origin winners are Raj Chouhan from Burnaby-New Westminster, Niki Sharma from Vancouver-Hastings and Rohini “Reah” Arora from Burnaby East.
Their election ensures continued Punjabi-origin representation within the provincial NDP caucus, even as the party prepares to move into opposition.
Conservatives set to form majority government
The results mark a major change in British Columbia’s political landscape. CBC News reported that the Conservatives had secured their first majority government since 1928.
Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson described the outcome by saying, “BC is definitely blue.” Meanwhile, outgoing NDP Premier David Eby announced his resignation as party leader and accepted responsibility for the election defeat, according to CTV News.
Eby had called the election more than two years ahead of the scheduled timeline.
Final counts are expected in early November, meaning the current seat totals and the number of elected Punjabi-origin candidates could still change.
List of Punjabi-origin winners
Conservative Party of British Columbia — 12
- Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal — Surrey North
- Dr Harjit Taliwal — Surrey-Newton
- Jessy Sahota — Delta
- Garry Thind — Surrey-Guildford
- Zeeshan Wahla — Surrey City Centre
- Harman Bhangu — Langley-Abbotsford
- Jody Toor — Langley-Willowbrook
- Steve Kooner — Richmond-Queensborough
- Garry Purewal — Surrey-Fleetwood
- Monica Mohan — Delta North
- Pavneet Singh — Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream
- Deep Sandhu — Vancouver-Fraserview
New Democratic Party — 3
- Raj Chouhan — Burnaby-New Westminster
- Niki Sharma — Vancouver-Hastings
- Rohini “Reah” Arora — Burnaby East
